A new study links sleep problems with glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness among United States adults.

Glaucoma and Circadian Rhythm

Michael V. Boland, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Information Technology and Associate Residency Program Director at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, specializes in glaucoma and glaucoma surgery. He recently co-authored a study that suggests poor sleep could be either a risk factor or a result of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that elevates inner eye pressure to dangerous levels and can damage the optic nerve. Deterioration of the optic nerve can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. Researchers have established a connection between chronic high eye pressure and damage to ganglion cells in the retina, which are hypothesized to impact circadian rhythm and sleep.

Analyzing Sleep Dysfunction and Glaucoma

To investigate the hypothesized connection between ganglion cell loss and poor sleep, Boland examined data from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Boland reviewed responses from the nearly 4,500 survey participants: some with glaucoma, some with vision loss and some with no vision problems. Patients answered questions about sleep medication, sleep duration, sleep disorders, sleep disturbances and daytime drowsiness.

The results of the study established a connection between glaucoma and long and short sleep duration. Glaucoma was three times more prevalent in participants who slept ten or more hours per night compared to participants who slept seven hours per night.

Boland discovered patients with glaucoma were more likely to fall asleep very quickly or take longer to fall asleep. Glaucoma was more prevalent in patients who fell asleep in nine or fewer minutes or patients who fell asleep in 30 minutes or more. There was also a connection between glaucoma and pronounced daytime sleepiness.

<h2>Poor Sleep Quality Does Not Always Indicate Glaucoma <h2>

Sleep problems and glaucoma are not always related, but it is important to consult a doctor to help resolve sleep issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declares insufficient sleep a “public health problem.” According to SleepHealth.org, between 50 to 70 million Americans experience poor sleep.

Sleep disorders are common among both genders and all ages and socioeconomic levels, and sleep deprivation can cause chronic health concerns. Poor sleep can lead to heart disease, accidents, hypertension, septicemia, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes.

Boland intends to continue researching the connection. He encourages more communication between physicians and patients.  In an interview with Ocular Surgery News, Boland explained, “Ophthalmologists may want to consider asking their glaucoma patients about their sleep quality.”

Currently, glaucoma affects more than three million Americans, but many are unaware they are developing glaucoma because the condition often has no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. This is why glaucoma is sometimes called the sneak thief of sight. Early diagnosis and early intervention are imperative to minimize optic nerve damage and preserve vision.

Make an Appointment for a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Are you struggling with poor sleep, frequent waking at night, daytime fatigue or forgetfulness? It is probably time to call your ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye exam can provide you with a full evaluation of your vision health. Your eye doctor will check your prescription and test you for degenerative eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Make healthy vision a priority by scheduling an appointment today.

A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found statins, a type of drug that lowers cholesterol, could help prevent primary open-angle glaucoma, or POAG.

Doctors often prescribe statins to patients with high cholesterol to reduce the risk of a stroke or a heart attack, but statins could have another benefit. A research team from Brigham and Women’s Hospital claims using statins for five years or longer could lower the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma.

Coming Soon: SimVis Vision Simulator

Although cataract surgery is routine and safe, you may have questions about scheduling an invasive eye procedure. But what if you could get a glimpse of how cataract surgery can improve your vision?  Developed by scientists at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the SimVis is a lightweight vision simulator that can be worn alone or in a headset. The device was designed to imitate the effects of a multifocal IOL and help patients anticipate their post-cataract surgery vision. The SimVis is not yet available on the market, but researchers predict the device holds the potential to assist millions of patients in selecting the best lens for cataract surgery.

Cataracts, a Common Cause of Vision Loss

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, and it can cause blindness if left untreated. Today, more than 24 million Americans over 40 have cataracts. Most cases of cataracts can be treated with a short outpatient procedure to remove the clouded lens and insert a prescription IOL. Determining the best lens is often the most difficult decision, but the SimVis can eliminate much of the guesswork. 

How the SimVis Mimics IOLs

The SimVis uses lenses, mirrors and light modulators to simulate different types of IOLs. The binocular headset allows patients to experience vision changes associated with different lenses. Throughout the simulation, the device is controlled wirelessly via a mobile or tablet app.

One of the best benefits of the SimVis is it is non-invasive, so it decreases the fear barrier of cataract removal. CSIC researcher Susana Marcos says, “The possibility of the patient experimenting [sic] vision with a multifocal lens before the surgery is very attractive to reduce uncertainty and to manage expectations. Visual simulators are an ideal technique to provide patients with a new realistic experience of multifocality before the implantation of a new intraocular lens” (Science Daily).

Details about the SimVis are available in the February 7, 2019 edition of Scientific Reports.

Make an Appointment With your Eye Doctor

One in six adults have a developing cataract by age 40, and half of adults have a cataract by age 70. Don’t let cataracts affect your independence. If you have symptoms like clouded, blurry vision, double vision, fading of colors, and sensitivity to light, call your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.

Meditation Can Help Lower Eye Pressure in Open-Angle Glaucoma

A recent study published in the Journal of Glaucoma suggests holistic glaucoma treatment such as meditation and mindfulness can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease.

The study included 90 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who were divided into two groups. One group participated in one-hour guided daily meditation sessions for 21 days, and the other group served as the control. All participants continued their prescribed glaucoma medication to lower IOP. Individuals who practiced meditation showed lower IOP, reduced stress and improved quality of life. The control group did not experience these benefits.

Researchers concluded holistic glaucoma treatment, in conjunction with prescribed glaucoma medication, can benefit glaucoma patients.

Ophthalmologists Can Detect Glaucoma Early Through Comprehensive Eye Exams

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but half are unaware they are affected. Ten percent of all cases of blindness in the United States are caused by glaucoma, and 75 percent of those affected are senior adults.

Because primary open-angle glaucoma symptoms are rare, patients cannot depend on warning signs to alert them of a vision problem. In fact, glaucoma can diminish the visual field by 40 percent without notice. Lowering IOP in open-angle glaucoma is the only method to prevent optic nerve damage and vision loss. This is why it is essential to have annual eye exams with an ophthalmologist.

Through annual comprehensive eye exams, ophthalmologists can detect glaucoma at an early stage before vision damage takes place. Eye doctors can check eye pressure with a test called tonometry and can detect early indications of disease long before a patient would notice signs and symptoms of glaucoma. Additionally, ophthalmologists can identify other forms of degenerative eye disease like cataracts and macular degeneration.

Make an Appointment with Your Ophthalmologist

Call your ophthalmologist to ask whether you are due for a comprehensive eye exam. If you have glaucoma, your doctor can suggest other natural ways to lower eye pressure like exercise, diet, biofeedback and relaxation. Although holistic glaucoma treatment can never replace prescribed glaucoma eye drops or glaucoma medication, these therapies may delay the progression of the disease and help preserve vision.

This is part of a Congress-mandated initiative called the 21^st Century Cures Act.

“Can you imagine going to the grocery store, getting the groceries you need for the week, but never knowing the price of your items until a week later when the store sends you a bill? Sadly, that’s how healthcare works every day” – Seema Verma, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator (CMS Blog).

Medicare Pricing Tool

The Procedure Price Lookup Tool allows a qualified Medicare beneficiary to compare average payments and copayments for medical procedures performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The website also provides the national average copayment a beneficiary with no Medicare supplemental insurance policy (Medigap) would pay the provider.

Cataract surgery, cataract removal with YAG laser and blepharoplasty (removal of excess skin above or below the eye) are three of the most common outpatient eye procedures for Medicare patients. Here are the average costs Medicare patients would pay for these procedures at a hospital outpatient department (HOPD) compared to an ambulatory surgery center (ASC).

Glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss and blindness. This sight-robbing disease has no cure or method of prevention, yet it affects more than 3 million Americans. According to the National Eye Health Education Program, glaucoma’s prevalence will increase by 58 percent by 2030 and affect 4.2 million men, women and children.

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, so it’s wise to take some time to learn more about this eye disease and assess your risk. Although anyone can develop glaucoma, you may have an increased chance of developing the disease depending on the following glaucoma risk factors:

Family History of Glaucoma

Heredity is responsible for over half of glaucoma cases, and you are up to ten times more likely to develop glaucoma if you have a sibling with the disease (Glaucoma Research Foundation). If glaucoma runs in your family, encourage family members to make yearly appointments for comprehensive eye exams to detect glaucoma early.

Age

Another glaucoma risk factor is your age. Your chances of developing eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration increases with age. If you are over 60 years old, you are six times more likely to develop glaucoma.

Ethnicity and Glaucoma

After cataracts, glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness among African Americans and people of African ethnicity. A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests Mexican Americans may also be at elevated risk for developing primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease.

Elevated Eye Pressure

Glaucoma is often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), or inner eye pressure. You may wonder what normal eye pressure is: the Glaucoma Research Foundation considers normal eye pressure to be 12-22 mm Hg. An ophthalmologist can perform a simple pressure test, known as tonometry, during an eye exam and can advise you as to whether you have elevated IOP. Higher-than-normal eye pressure does not indicate glaucoma, but it is a primary glaucoma risk factor.

Glaucoma Eye Exams Preserve Vision

Because glaucoma symptoms and warning signs are rare, it is essential to see your eye doctor regularly. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you will need to schedule your appointments more frequently. Knowing your risk for glaucoma and scheduling comprehensive eye exams are integral to preserving your vision for years to come. Because glaucoma-related vision loss is irreversible, glaucoma treatments like eye drops, laser procedures and surgery are more effective in the early stages of the disease.

During your eye exam, ask your doctor to review your complete medical history with you so you can make updates or changes. Be sure to include family medical history, and mention any chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes or heart disease, as well as any eye diseases that run in your family.

Schedule an appointment for yourself and your entire family during National Glaucoma Awareness Month and enjoy the gift of clear vision.

Do your eyes burn or feel tired, itchy or dry at the end of your workday? You may have computer vision syndrome (CVS), or digital eye strain caused by staring at screens for extended periods. CVS causes an estimated ten million eye doctor visits per year, but you can avoid eye strain by improving your workstation and being proactive in your daily routine.

Here are 10 Ways to Reduce Eye Fatigue at Work:

1. Select a darker paint color for your office walls and choose a matte finish. White walls or bright paint can cause glare and can increase eye strain.
2. Cover the windows in your office with curtains, blinds or shades to reduce incoming light.
3. Choose a computer monitor that tilts and swivels.
4. Buy an anti-glare screen for your computer monitor.
5. Wear blue light filtering glasses. High-energy visible (HEV) blue light can penetrate deep into the retinal cells and lead to eye damage. Wearing these glasses with a special coating protects your eyes from the harmful effects of HEV blue light.
6. Blink more often. Most people blink about 18 times per minute, but staring at digital screens decreases blink rates by about 50 percent. You may find it helpful to write “blink” on a note and post it on your computer.
7. Take regular breaks and follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
8. Get your eyes examined every year. Keeping up with your annual comprehensive eye exams ensures you have an updated prescription and helps you avoid eye disease.
9. Measure the distance from your eyes to your screen and show this measurement to your ophthalmologist. Your eye doctor may suggest a different distance to increase eye comfort.
10. If you wear contact lenses, alternate with glasses a few times per week to prevent eye dryness. Glasses with anti-reflective coating can reduce glare and prevent eye strain.

Call Your Eye Doctor

Talk with your ophthalmologist about more ways to keep your eyes moist and refreshed at work to prevent digital eye strain. Even if you have had an eye exam within the last year, call your eye doctor if you experience eye pain, double vision, blurred vision or sensitivity to light. One appointment could help restore eye comfort and increase your productivity.